International Calendar 2014

Jamaica

Jamaica
Caribbean

Area 10,991 km² (RANK 168)

Arable 15.8%

Capital Kingston (585 K)

Population 2,889,187 (263/km²)

Literacy 88%

Life expectancy 73 yrs

HIV/AIDS 1.7% (32,000 adults)

In poverty 17%

Military 0.6% of GDP (RANK 158 of 195)

Languages English, English patois

Religions Protestant 63%, Roman Catholic 3%, other 14%, none 21%

Gov’t Constitutional Parliamentary Democracy

GDP/capita $9,100

Agriculture sugarcane, bananas, coffee, citrus, yams, ackees, vegetales, poultry, goats, milk, shellfish

Industry alumina, bauxite, sugar, rum, coffee, yams, beverages, chemicals, apparel, mineral fuels

PCVs 1962-present, current 62, TTD 3,771, education, community development, youth development

Trelawny Parish, Jamaica

Trelawny Parish in northwest Jamaica is known for its laidback atmosphere and as the birthplace of Usain Bolt, the fastest man on earth. The parish is also known for its many sinkholes and limestone caves, including the Windsor and Carambi Caves known for their beauty and phosphate deposits. Several caves have carvings made by the Taino people many centuries ago.
This young Trelawny boy has just finished eating a mango and gazes peacefully at the tropical sky.
Photo © 2004 Jim Ingraham
Peace Corps Volunteer, Jamaica 2004-2005